The sun is also going to hide soon. Making the sky orange again. They are still a little far from their destination. Not stopping, they continued to move forward.
Ashra started to feel exhausted. But he didn't want to stop until they reached the village.
"How much time would it take. I can't walk more than that."
Rudrax looked at him. He knows Ashra can't walk more. He gave him a hope to continue without stopping.
"Just a little more. We are just near."
They continued walking over without stopping. Every step felt heavy to Ashra. But he still didn't want to stop over his fatigue. He is just repeating some words in his mind.
'I can't stop yet! I just need to endure more! I know I can do this!'
***
After a long time traveling that far, they finally started to see a village in front of them. Ashra finally jumps over with excitement.
"Oh, finally!"
Rudrax said with a look around himself, like scanning the area.
"Yeah, it looks like. We should go."
They are standing on a high mountain. In front of them, there is a small village. It's already dark at that time, but the village is sparkling with full of lights. This view gives them a good vibe.
They came down from the high cliff hanger. Started to look around their surroundings. Going inside to look at the village.
Ashra said with excitement.
"What a lovely sight! I wonder if there is a festival in this village! I want to know what types of food they have here. I just can't wait more than."
Ashra seems happy after coming here. He is full of joy at that time. While Rudrax felt a about weird about that place.
He was trying to look around with caution.
"Something is off here. We should be careful."
Ashra looked at him with confusion.
"What now?! Don't say that's the wrong place?!"
Rudrax gave a small sigh.
"No. It's nothing. But don't make too much noise. I can't say now. But yeah, surely, there is a sense of danger, I can tell that."
At the next moment. Ashra screamed out loud.
"Hey!!!
Can someone hear me!!!
We came here from a long way!!!
No one lives here!!!"
Rudrax frowned, and he yelled to Ashra.
"Hey, what are you doing?! Stop that!"
Ashra is really chill. He doesn't care about anything and also ignores him like nothing. Sometimes he loves to tease Rudrax. It made him happy for no other reason.
Rudrax put a hand on his forehead.
"Ah! Why did I forget about him? He is not listening to me at all?"
But after that much, when Ashra had screamed that loud, still no one came there. They are both surprised.
Ashra said with a smirk.
"I think no one really lives here."
Rudrax takes some steps forward. He sits on one knee on the ground, and he puts his hand on the ground. He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate, but he sensed something.
...
He suddenly stood and started to run straight.
"Ashra, hurry up!"
Ashra blinked and started to follow him.
"Hey! Where are you going?!"
Rudrax has found someone there is a human nearby. He wants to see them, but he is also surprised why the village is fully empty, and he wants to see it quickly. What's happening here?
With a swift Rudrax, said.
"Just follow me. There is no time to tell you."
Ashra, who is still following Rudrax behind him still thinking.
"What could have happened to him. That he is acting strange."
***
They finally stopped. Ashra is gasping, holding onto his knees. Rudrax is completely calm and alert.
There is front of them is a big tree, where a girl is tied with ropes. She is in an unconscious state. She is not awake yet at that time. Rudrax stepped forward to untie her.
Rudrax muttered in a calm voice.
"I can't believe that..."
He gently grabs her and lays her on the ground, after he unties her ropes. A calm look on his face.
Ashra asked him normally.
"Is something wrong?"
Rudrax replied in an unnatural tone.
"Yeah. Everything is wrong about this village."
After a pause, he said.
"Have you heard about a sacrifice ritual?"
The "sacrificial ritual" refers to those rituals, where some people believe that sacrificing a human to devils can release their curse or put their curse on someone. Simply, it's a gift for their god to make believe in them.
Though it's just a tale, no one actually believes it for real. But who knows, this village is already cursed with some negative energy. Rudrax felt it in an instant, the moment they set their footsteps there.
Ashra gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. He also can't able to believe it.
"Are you saying that... they are going... to sacrifice her. Who will believe that nonsense?"
Rudrax stood up.
"Can you imagine? What if... we haven't come here soon?"
"Who are those bastards? They are killing someone over this..."
Ashra replied in a serious tone.
Rudrax sits calmly beside her. He muttered under his breath.
"I really can't believe that... She looks the same age as Ashra. And they..."
After waiting for a minute, they see the girl starting to move her body.
Ashra said to Rudrax after her body started to twitch.
"Hey, look... she is moving."
Rudrax gives a glance at her.
"Yeah. You are right..."
The girl wakes up, starting to rub her eyes. Fear showed in her eyes. She didn't try to say anything. After seeing them both, she is trying to create distance between them.
After all, they both are completely strange to her. With a thought in her mind, she said.
"Who are you...?"